2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Goes on Sale for $71,685
GM has placed its highly advanced 2-Mode powertrain into the Cadillac Escalade and has announced the cars have gone on sale this month.
This is the first example of a hybrid large luxury SUV, and will be available in rear or all-wheel drive configurations.
The massive vehicle will get a remarkable 20 mpg hwy/21 mpg city using the 2-mode hybrid drivetrain. This system uses 2 different electric motors, one for low speed and one for high speed. These run in parallel with a combustion engine, and which of the three powerplants or combination thereof is utilized is determined moment by moment by a computer.
The vehicle comes in one variety, fully loaded, and is actually priced $3600 more than the fully loaded non-hybrid version. At $4/gallon gas, the hybrid premium will be paid for in 3-1/2 years.
GM hopes to sell 5,000 to 6,000 units in the first year, which is 13% of the total expected Escalade sales. So far the hybrid versions of the Tahoe/Yukon have only made up 4% of the sales in that segment.
Our friend Sam Abuelsamid of Autoblog has a new test drive here.
Source (Forbes )
Popularity: 3%
Related posts:
- Introducing the 2-Mode Hybrid Cadillac Escalade
- We’re Getting Closer…Introducing the 2-Mode Hybrid Saturn VUE
- 2009 Saturn VUE 2-Mode Hybrid First Drives
- Update: Saturn VUE 2-Mode Plug-in Hybrid
- E-Flex Cadillac Next?
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) 
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81 Responses to “2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Goes on Sale for $71,685”
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August 9th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Great! Rich people will save money after 3.5 years.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Anyone who can afford a $71,000 dollar car doesn’t car how much it will save them in gas. If anything, it will be a “see, I care for the environment and drive an SUV” purchase.
The real gas saving SUV is yet to come with a EREV (plug-in) model. Look for it to be unveiled at the LA Auto Show in November this year. No, it’s not the Vue, but a full-sized 4×4 SUV will a 40 mile all electric drive range.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I don’t know what to say. It’s either a testament to our genius or a placard of our excessiveness.
However, if the beast turns off its engine when it stops in traffic then that would be great. I think the thing that most exemplifies energy waste is to see cars for as far as the eye can see all sitting there in a traffic jam with the engines running.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Well I guess the well healed can now pretend to care about the environment. At least the hybrid slade offers a significant improvement in overall fuel economy. The $105K Lexus 460 hybrid has slighty better city economy, worse highway economy for basically the same mileage as the non-hybrid for a whopping $42K penalty. It might pay off in about 200 years! You could also look at it as high profit hybrids that will help fund mass market hybrids that can actually make a difference.
August 9th, 2008 at 11:03 am
HAHA, What are they smoking if they think that this will even sell?…At 71K it better clean my dishes and do my laundry and be made out of gold!
August 9th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Some people need to get past their very narrow view of what this country needs. Like it or not, people buy these things. They are not worried much about gas prices. This gives a large group of people the option to do something to help the planet, get their “green credit”, and not sacrifice anything. The fact is it get 20mpg in town!
Thats better than any larger truck or SUV made by anyone. A Carolla, Jetta, Mazda 3 all get 22mpg city! Camry gets 21. most people will get an average of 20mpg in daily driving this roomy, luxury vehicle. Imagine seing one of these sitting beside a Camry at a stop light in town and realizing thet are getting the same gas mileage. All for only a $3600 permium? GM has a winner here. I would bet this will take over 50% of Escalade sales in two years.
Widen your view people.
August 9th, 2008 at 11:23 am
As my Dad always used to say:
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”
August 9th, 2008 at 11:36 am
20mpg? What a joke! I get better mileage with my 2001 Ford F350 crewcab / full-size bed with the Powerstroke diesel engine. This hybrid Escalade seems to be a waste of technology.
August 9th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I didn’t realize the Escalade was so expensive. The premium is very modest so I can’t see why you wouldn’t buy the hybrid version.
August 9th, 2008 at 11:48 am
MetrologyFirst@6
I tend to agree with you. The process of “turning over” the entire fleet in the US takes about 15 years. Obviously we need to get started ASAP, but we’ll always have a group of drivers that want size and comfort.
Clarke and Woolsey both think starting with the guzzers will make the biggest impact.
JMO,
Be well,
Tag
August 9th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Does this come with spare rear view mirrors for those interested to see how to pull their head out of their rears. GM should dump these vehicles and put the money towards getting the Volt and similar cars out instead. WOW a whopping 20 mpg, just to look cool. Makes up for certain types of envy!!
August 9th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Too bad they can’t seem to have the hybrid option on the Tahoe only $3600. People would really go for it then. Instead of 4% of sales it could be 50% of sales.
August 9th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
For that price I hope it has Toyota Quality.
August 9th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Or for 70K + you could get one of these selections…
- approx. 2 Volts
- 3 Prius
makes the Volt sound inexpensive…not.
August 9th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
OMG! Video of the \Volt front end and dashboard…
javascript:void(window.open(’http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews;_ylt=ApE9iFHPKcc0N6UCtDFcNapv24cA?ch=4226720&cl=9208251&lang=en’,'playerWindow’,'width=793,height=608,scrollbars=no’));
August 9th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
How much weight did the Escalade’s designers save by giving it three powerplants?
Since nobody is buying GM’s mid priced hybrid SUV’s, it makes perfect sense (from a myopic point of view) to try it on their high priced luxury line instead.
I also heard Ford is going to start selling the Edsel again.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
#15 DaveP
Great catch! Great great catch. My favorite quote? “Am I allowed to say that if you’re a fan of Apple you”re going to like the interior of this car?”
Yes!
More looks at the front end as well, a bigger peek if you will. Looks like it has nice smooth lines.
The media attention is also very useful, especially the quote about making the Prius “look like a gas guzzler.” Loved the graphics; ABC did a nice job on this story.
The only bad part is I wasn’t so hot on: “target date end of 2010 …”.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=9208251&ch=4226720&src=news
August 9th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
No matter what GM comes up with, I’m sure there will be a market for it. Looks like GM is now marketing to “green” pimps.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
The 2-Mode HYBRID System used in the Chevy Tahoe , (and now the Cadillac) is really great and works as advertised but we have 3 brand new units on our lot that have not moved because of price. GM’s marketing of the hybrids is all wrong. They should be building base model Tahoes and Silverado Crew Cabs with the hybrid system AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE. As many of you above have stated: Rich people that can spend $71 large on an Escalade or 49 to 51,000 on a Tahoe HYBRID don’t care about the price of gas. They just want to ‘appear’ that they care. If we had base model Tahoe HYBRIDs with an MSRP around $39,000 or less, we could move them out. As it is now, the $6,000 in rebates this week from GM are just barely getting the phones to ring about them. Saving money at the pump is more important to Chevy buyers than the LTZ package of accessories.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I think I’m in the minority here.
I see this a good thing. All vehicles need to change. Not just the ones at the bottom. If GM can generate sales and make money from this, then why not?
August 9th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
This is off topic but it looks like MIT may have a major discovery in creating hydrogen from solar.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731143345.htm
First time poster
August 9th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Stop Global Warming: Buy American Made Cars.. No pollution from overseas shipping
August 9th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
#17 DonC
(Hence, one of the shortest postings from me, ever, I think 
Anyway, well worth a watch.
Thanks for “fixing” the link. I had a phone call coming in and didn’t have a chance to look at what I’d pasted.
Yes, I liked the story and the fact that GM’s starting to leak sneak peeks at the looks. Looks like they really are close to showing it off! Good view of the rims, too! Looks like Silver is the “design color”… I can live with that.
Cool!
August 9th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Cool video. I’ll take that Volt. Can I pick it up tomorrow?
Take Care,
TED
August 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
#6 MetrologyFirst
“Some people need to get past their very narrow view of what this country needs.”
I sugest you take your own advice and widen your view. Forget about what the country needs, the world doesn’t need ostentatious gas guzzlers. Why should the rest of us empathize with those that don’t have sufficient conscience to empathize with our plight? Many people on this blog expressed many reasons for weening ourselves from oil. The ’sclade is the embodiment of selfishness. You ask us to be tolerant of the opulent. Yet, you seem intolerant of the majority viewpoint expressed, so far, in this thread. A decadent display will get many reactions from envy to contempt.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
GM always made their profits on the SUV/truck market. So let the rich
help GM make money. Lord knows GM needs all the financial help
they can get. Maybe GM will be able to make the Volt more
affordable as a result. You know the luxury market always starts new
advancements (at premium prices which the more wealthy can afford), which
then trickle down to the lower end market.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I agree with the statement made about the high end ultra luxury hybrids subsidizing the entry level hybrids or even the Volt. We want GM to make the Volt but we do not want them to make any money? Who cares if they are pimping the green thing. The point is that they are going greener. The point is that we the people are not buying the high profit SUV’s and trucks, so what are they going to do? They need to do whatever they can to find a new high profit niche market. Who better to get that money from, then the ones that already have it. Can we not always criticize and try to find the good in this one?
August 9th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
#6 MetrologyFirst
#11 Tagamet
#7 noel park
To put some numbers on the point: If the Escalade hybrid goes 15,000 miles a year, and does 10,000 miles of that in the city, then the gas saved would be 270 gallons. To save that much gas a Prius would have to get almost 275 mpg over 15,000 miles.
The Escalade may be over the top, and I suspect the zeitgeist has changed so it will not be as appealing as in the past, but it shows what you can do. Especially for people who may actually need a truck for work, I hope, as Gordon mentioned, that GM can get the price down for the Silverado pickups. It’s hard to pile sheet rock or plywood on the top of a Prius.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Thomb,
No need to empathize with everyone’s tastes. If you want to save the planet - whatever. I don’t need to empathize with you to achieve the goal of reducing oil imports, nor should you NEED me to.
I’m guessing you weren’t around for Chairman Mao, but “decadent” was one of his favorite words. I’m just saying that there is no need to push the “class envy” button for us to both get where we want to be.
JMO,
Tag
August 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
#18 Kent - “Green” pimps, ROTFLMAO. OMG that was funny!
August 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
#24 ThombDbhomb
I wouldn’t worry too much about the Escalade. The end of the lease deals will really cut into the sales. We’re not talking huge numbers.
Some people do need trucks, and the guts of the Silverado, Tahoe, and Escalade are the same, so if spreading the development and production costs over the three platforms helps cut the price of the hybrid working vehicles and gets more working folk into them the better off we’ll all be.
August 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
That’s some serious scratch for a car. Still, if you compare to other $70k ostentation vehicles the mileage is really pretty good. The only thing close I could find on the kbb “perfect car finder” for cars over $70k was the Lexus ls600h, but that’s $100k. Everything else is in the mid-low teens, at best.
Of course, if you go DOWN $10k in price, things look a little better across the board from a mileage standpoint (mostly because the Boxter and Exige show up, although each not really better than the Hybrid Escalade).
Anyway, so the high end of cost market doesn’t have much sympathy for MPG (I recall that the 600h wasn’t selling very well) so I would think this is actually kind of a risky move for GM.
Ironically, I think going to full e-flex for the Escalade is a much less risky move. Then you get serious green cred on your bling ride. The hybrid alone might not be green enough to make a difference in sales.
Or to put it another way, it doesn’t attract anybody who wouldn’t already have bought an Escalade. I don’t think it will bring any new sales to the table. An e-flex Escalade would attract entirely new customers (much like eflex anything, I suppose
August 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Great, now make it a plug-in and I’ll buy one…
August 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
#27 Don C:
If GM can make a little money selling hybrid Escalades, all well and good. The problem is that the niche is so small, that it will not save the company. It has to be pretty clear by now that what the market wants is a Prius fighter.
Again, Honda is supposedly coming with a hybrid Fit, and a stand alone Prius fighter hybrid, both next year. I read yesterday, either here or in Autoweek, that Kia is coming next year with a hybrid Rios. If GM’s counter to that is the Cruze in 2010, and 10,000 Volts, starting production in late 2010 and actually available to the “public” in 2011, GM’s current problems will only compound.
The reason I commented as I did is because I believe that the “zeitgeist” HAS changed, and that it is a fundamental strategic error to concentrate scarce hybrid development resources on this niche market, no matter what the potential markup on each vehicle.
I agree, and totally sympathize, with Gordon at #19. Although I personally doubt that they are going to move very many hybrid Yukhoes at $39K in this market either. As far as I know, the hybrid Silverado is not available yet. If I was in the market for a truck for my business, I would seriously consider one. If they use the same pricing strategy though, forget it.
As I’ve said many times, maybe GM will shrink down into a company that just makes trucks for people who actually need trucks. There are still plenty of them out there. In that case, the hybrid Silverado, at a decent price, could be a real winner. But they will be a lot smaller company if that happens.
August 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
@28 Tagamet
The case for “class envy” or “mine is bigger than yours” works when you’re driving an Escalade and the other guy is driving a Malibu. I’m not sure it plays when you’re driving an Escalade and the other guy has to decide between food, medical care, or buying gas for his car.
At some point the acceptable level of Veblenic conspicuous consumption ends and impropriety begins. Eating a seven course dinner may be just fine but I would not be comfortable eating one in front of starving people. At some point we cross into the “let them eat cake” territory, a territory which fails to conform to American senses of values, religion, morals, and propriety.
Not making a big deal of this, but the drop in sales of large luxury vehicles is not being driven entirely by consumers feeling pinched. $75,000 Escalades are out; $120,000 Tesla’s are in.
JMO
August 9th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I feel bad for GM on this one.
It was actually/probably a good idea when they first dreamt this up. Give the over-indulgent a ‘free pass’ card in the ‘green’ world, indicative of only being able to get the ‘hybrid option’ with a FULLY LOADED Escalade…ridiculous.
Unfortunately, the market is totally gone for these beasts. If they can’t sell the ‘Yukonahoe’ hybrid for 6K off at 50K AND with 0% for 72 months, they aren’t going to be able to see these either.
I’m sure thats why you have this ‘quiet roll-out,’ in the middle of summer that none of the ‘brass’ at GM want to stand beside. This thing is going to get pasted in the media and will be held up as another example of ‘all the things wrong with GM’
August 9th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
What sport is the Escalade made for? None. Are Escalade drivers utilitarian? No. We’ve got to stop calling the Escalade an SUV. They are being used as poor-aerodynamic (i.e., fuel inefficient) sedans. Anybody got a more appropriate class name for Escalade-type vehicles? 20 mpg vehicles aren’t going to get us out of the mess we are in.
I know, we get the rich to pay a premium for advances in technology, which then trickles down. I’m tired of “trickle-down.” I thought the Volt program’s concept was to get Volts to the masses fast, not at a trickle pace. Initial low production hedges bets. Where is that bold push we were all hoping for?
Forgive me; my “steam pressure” is exceeding holding capacity. We all go off from time to time. Even nasaman did it recently.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
#33 noel park
Couldn’t agree more with your point that the $72,000 Escalades are not going to do anything significant for GM. The numbers back you up completely. GM hopes to sell 6,000 hybrid Escalades. That’s 15% of the the “waiting list” they have for the Volt on one unofficial website.
The Escalade is a vehicle. The Volt is a game changer.
On the other hand, the hybrid Silverado and Tahoe will definitely help those who need them. My point was that since the guts are the same it makes perfect sense for GM to use the hybrid platform on all three lines. If GM makes a few bucks on the Escalade more power to them. It didn’t take a lot of development time or money.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
#35 Statik
B*I*N*G*O
However, eventually the hybrid Yukon and Silverado will sell. They have a purpose. It couldn’t have cost much to make the platform available for the Escalade.
On the other hand the Volt is the perfect car for the new zeitgeist. That one GM seems to have timed perfectly.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I think the premium on the Hybrid version should be around 2000.
something like 1950$. This will help GM boost the sales of the profit making SUVs and also more than offset the low price of Hybrid.
People who are not buying SUVs due to rising fuel prices will definitely consider buying Hybrid if it makes a very big sense. I want to tell GM that 3000+ premium is not going to attract many buyers for its Tahoe/GMC Hybrids. Lower the premium to 1950$ and see how it goes, it may even bring back the lost sales volumes of SUVs
and reap huge profits for GM. 3000+ premium for hybrid is one of the many blunders made by GM.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
#28 Tagamet
Putting me and Chairman Mao in the same sentence? It doesn’t take much for you to make tenuous linkages. It is reminiscent of McCain’s Brittany Spears/Obama link. I guess that appeals to a certain mentality.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thomb,
I was just making a historical reference. If you’re upset about the reference, maybe you’re a teeny bit sensitive.
Just curious, but did you get ANY of the point I was trying to communicate? We are a diverse group with similar goal. No need to knock any one group, since we’re all trying to get the same place (free of oil).
Be well,
Tag
August 9th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
What a bunch of Idiots GM are!
Why even build this Tank in the first place!
70 grand for something that gets only 20 miles to the gallon…
Soooooo this is why were are addicted to foreign oil … ?
Hey,I gotta plan to fix our oil addiction: lets put these mega-rich CEO’s in prison that are keeping us addicted to foreign oil…by the end of the year cars will be getting 150 miles to the gallon and we wont be sending 750 billion dollars over seas to terrorist nations that hate us!!!…
After all why are they any different than drug dealers!
August 9th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Crow,
Where’d you get the idea that CEO’s are keeping us addicted to oil? Just curious.
Be well,
Tag
August 9th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
#40 Thomb
If my neighbor wants to waste thousand of dollars on a “decadent” vehicle, and burn hundreds of dollars in gas for it, that’s his perogative. I agree with you that he’s making a dumb decision, but it’s his money to waste and his decision. It’s freedom, and I like it that way.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Personally, I think GM was brilliant for coming out with this! I work in New York City, and I’m always annoyed by the big SUVs (either Escalades, Suburbans, or Navigators) sitting outside the corporate offices with the engine running and the driver listening to the radio. These are the “black cars” waiting for the corporate executives to be taken to a meeting, and I’ve seen them outside idling for hours at a time. The driver can’t leave the car because it’s a “no parking” zone and he won’t turn off the engine because he wants the air conditioning on.
The beauty of the hybrid Escalade is that they’ll still be waiting, but the gasoline engine will be OFF, and the A/C and radio will run off the battery. That one change will probably double or triple the miles/gallon that these vehicles get.
In the end, one “black car” Escalade will probably save the same amount of gasoline than 10 Priuses. That’s why this is a smart move.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Amazing, at Friday’s exchange rate it is almost exactly 100,000 NZ Dollars.
If it’s so good why continue with the standard version? Seems, like, GM keeps sticking its toe in the water and deciding it’s too cold to swim.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
So for more than triple the price of my 2003 Santa Fe or a new one for that matter, I can get a Escalade hybrid that does about the same fuel consumption.
What a deal!
August 9th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Steve@47,
That’s exactly the problem we’ll all have until the price “premium” for hybrids comes down. A LOT of old cars will stay on the road until they either die, or can’tbe replaced with another old car. It’s not going to happen quickly, but I DO believe that it’ll happen.
Cautious Fan@44
Exactly. Love that freedom of choice. Right now we have exactly ZERO choice on what powers our transportation. It’s oil or leg muscles. 2010 that’s going to change, and we’ll have several MFG’s offering plugs. I hope I can hold out until then without having to buy a “tweener” car, but our two vehicles have almost 300K miles…. 2009 would sure be nicer than 2010 (g)!
Come on GM!
Let’s get the VOLT’S wheels on the road!
Be well,
Tag
August 9th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Well surprising Lyle’s base post says this vehicle gets “remarkable” milage, but completely fails to give a comparision point to the non-hybrid version.
So I went to http://www.kbb.com/ and to see what I could find out… they have 2009 models listed but those don’t have milage estimates listed yet so I have to base it off the 2008 models which may or may not be the same as the 2009 models (it’s possible they could have made improvements even on the non-hybrids).
Looks like the non-hybrids get 12 city and 18 (AWD) or 19 (2WD) highway. So “city” is a definite improvement of a whopping 75% so if you drive a good amount of city driving it’s a big improvement. Highway however is only 11% (AWD) or 5% (2WD).
One thing nice about all the Escalade’s is they have 6-speed transmissions. This as I’ve mentioned in previous threads is something that should be standard in all vehicles, and whether automatic or manual.
MetrologyFirst… you need to check your facts… a Toyota Corolla (2009) is rated for 27 (autoamtic) or 26 (manual) in the city, and 35 on the highway (you said 22 city so were off by 23%).
swimdad623… you also need to check the facts… 1st I don’t see anything that even mentions that this vehicle is employing “engine stop” technology for when the vehicle is stopped but let’s assume it does… there is no way this non-plugin hybrid has a big enough battery pack to run the AC (and radio) for HOURS as you indicate, especially to cool the air in a cabin as big as in this one. Even the Prius can’t do that. A Volt and other RE-BEV’s will be able to (though losing BEV range once you do start driving).
August 10th, 2008 at 1:40 am
20mpg isn’t remarkable.
What IS remarkable is that someone would pay 71 THOUSAND dollars for an SUV.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Funny, I don’t see anyone complaining about all of the 4-cyl Camrys (auto and manual 5-spds) getting “only” 21 mpg city. Think of all the gas they are “wasting!” Not to mention the V6 Camry, that gets only 19 mpg.
Somehow, they get a free pass.
My V6 4-door sedan is rated 17 mpg city. I wish it got 21 mpg! To get 21 mpg in a much larger and more powerful vehicle is “remarkable.”
August 10th, 2008 at 8:05 am
You can be sure that Al Gore will buy one.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Tagamet Says:
August 9th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Crow,
Where’d you get the idea that CEO’s are keeping us addicted to oil? Just curious.
Be well,
Tag
*****************************************************************************
They have known for over thirty years about our dependence on foreign oil yet they continue to build gas guzzlers…these gas guzzlers lead to our oil addiction…
We dont need cars that get 20 MPG and cost 70 grand because this is the kind of thinking that got us into the mess we are in right now…
Domestic Automaker CEO’s dont give a damn or else this problem would have been fixed long ago…they are well aware that the United States wealth is going over seas to terrorist nations but they dont give a damn because they are mostly interested in their own greed…of late though this greed has come back to bite them in the azz because no one now can afford to drive these gas hogs..
Decisions come from the top down and these clowns have shown a gross lack of insight…
August 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Crow,
At least we agree on the need to get “off” foreign oil.
Be well,
Tag
August 10th, 2008 at 9:32 am
These things are the product of arrogance, indifference and an ethic that excess is good in and of its own sake. improving them is pointless and sales of the Yukon and Tahoe bear that out.
GM is building this because they don’t know how to build a small car that will sell and can’t be troubled trying.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Dagwood@56 said:
“GM is building this because they don’t know how to build a small car that will sell and can’t be troubled trying.”
How about the VOLT?
Be well,
Tag
August 10th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Someone has to pay for technology. Why not Caddy drivers?
I still don’t see why I can’t get a 2 mode small diesel in a half ton that would get 35mpg highway. My 83 diesel got 29mpg.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
#8 Just_Me-
I could agree with you more… I had a 1997 Dodge Ram with a Cummins Turbo Deisel that got an honest 20mpg in my daily driving.
I am not impressed with a $71,000 car that gets 20 mpg. Actually, it’s pathetic.
August 10th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
“I am not impressed with a $71,000 car that gets 20 mpg. Actually, it’s pathetic.”
How about the Bently Continental Flying Spur? It costs a *lot* more than $71,000. It gets 10 mpg EPA city. It’s not going to win any “green” awards. But it is *Impressive!*
GSP
August 10th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
ThombDbhomb,
You know… The guy that drives a Volt will look like a glutonous pig next to the guy that lives two blocks from his work and walks everywhere. In fact, the resources that will be needed to build and operate a Volt will be much closer to an Escalade than a bicycle. So why don’t you go buy a bike?
August 10th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Uhhh well this 75k suv cost gm 38k to produce so its 100 percent profit at 75k. Thats how they make all their money on suv’s and trucks at 100 percent profit margin.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
The hybrid premium will be more than $3600. It will be $3600 plue the rebate on the 2009 Escalade when it comes out, as the hybrid will NOT have that rebate. If the 2009 Escalade is introduced with a $3000 rebate then the hybrid premium will be $6600, or approximately six years worth of driving at current gas prices.
From a cost perspective it makes great sense to have the hybrid on the upper level vehicles. If the hybrid premium is $6600, that is only a 10% price premium. If the buyer of a Malibu had to pay a $5000 hybrid premium, again taking rebates into account, then that is a 25% premium. All of a sudden the Escalade hybrid premium doesn’t seem so bad.
Not everyone WANTS to drive a Prius, an Aveo, or a Santa Fe. And in America we still have freedom of choice. Some people want to drive a full size SUV. Why not give them the opportunity to pay a 10% price premium and get the same mileage as the person beside them at the stoplight who is driving that gas sipping (sarcasm intended) Camry?
If we really want to do what’s “good” for the earth and ourselves we’d pass a law banning the use of automobiles for trips under five miles unless the person had a valid handicapped sticker. We’d have to walk or ride our bicycle, saving gas and improving health. Maybe even make an exception for rain or temps below freezing. Many of you are suggesting such an approach by regulating what kind of car one chooses to drive, only allowing what you consider proper.
My ‘92 Chevy truck is driven about 5000 miles per year. I have commutted by walking or bicycling for 3 years now, except for rainy/snowy days. Even bought a headlight for the bike so I could ride after dark in the winter. But I’m not trying to dictate that everyone should do so, even though it would be the “right” thing for everyone to do. Such a decision should be a choice. Let people drive what they wnat, it’s just nice to see them getting a chance to drive something a little greener.
The Volt will provide us another choice for transporatation. We need that choice ASAP.
Peace and 73
WK4P
August 10th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Well, out a few days and looks like we all don’t agree. What a suprise.
Jeff M @ 50: http://www.fueleconomy.gov 2009 Corolla 2.4L, 22mpg city.
Sorry if you don’t like it. Complain to Toyota. They do offer a 1.8L that gets 26mpg city. But it goes 0-60 in 11 seconds. this is snail acceleration at best.
I agree that 71K is a ton for a car or truck. I would never buy one. But these is an increasing larger portion of our population that do. Whether you like that or not doesn’t matter. Its a fact. Go look at the full spectrum of car purchasing in this country. You may be suprised.
Still you can not argue, that if you do a lot of city stop and go driving, like most people do, this caddy will get you the same mileage as a Camry. And serious luxury and room to go with it. Whether some people choose to pay for all that luxury and room is their perogative.
As far as gasoline/oil consumption, its the same. My guess is you wouldn’t have an issue if the same person bought a Camry. Why the double standard?
Just think, a FLEET of these escalades in the city would save more gas than a fleet of 6cyl Camrys. Who would have thunk it?
August 11th, 2008 at 8:01 am
#37 Thomb.
What sport? Basketball.. Most new draft picks buy a Slade first before anything. While you and I would not drop 70k for a vehicle (any vehicle.) the fact is there is a market for them, its just not you and me (and many others) By offering a full Hybrid, at least that market can get the same mileage as a camry
#48 Steve..
3x the priceof your kia, yes, but Totoally different market segments, I have been is a Slade, and a kia…they are NOT inthe same class, and NBA players aren’t lining up to buy them, ina addition the Slade is much roomier and has a ton more amenities, considering it is 3x the vehicle, 3x the price is fair, for the same mileage that is remarkable, (see my note above, I agree it is not MY market segment either)
#54 Crow.
CEO’s are the fault because they lept building big vehicles that are inefficient? Damn..now Toyota and KIA are doing it too (google TUNDRA, SEQUOIA< and (sp) BERRAGO..better start buying TATA cars..have fun (comes with a free Shriners like cap too!!) although the price may go up in NA. In india there are no mirrors and you need them here just so you can see everything that will blow by you as your motor SCREAMS to rach MPH.
Again, while this vehicle is not for you and me and many here, for the MARKET (and there is a market for big luxury SUV ( that is why foreign manufactureres are building them too), and to make one that get 20mpg CITY!! is damn impressive.
There are always people who live IN excess…there are homes worth MILLIONS of dollars. Should they not build them? you can’t get one, neither can I, but If I COULD build a 7 million dollar house, do you really think 70k for a luxury SUV will bother me …didn’t think so…
August 11th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Wow, tough crowd on SUV owners…
Are you aware that a new Honda Accord gets 22MPG city.
Who cares how much some one spends on a vehicle. They just may be the self employed successful hard worker that risked it all….made it happen… gave you or a friend a job….and cash flow in the community.
This monster gets 20 MPG city. Awesome!
August 11th, 2008 at 10:11 am
#66
Vince..I totally agree.. while the SUV market is not my area, there IS a market..I think it is just the Uber greens that are tough (only because the letters s, u &v and together..never mind that a vehicle that big is almost as good inthe mileage dept as a Camry or Accord…), or the guys that wont drop 70k on a vehicle.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I think were all missing the point. A Volkswagen beetle got 30 something to the gallon in the 60’s and 70’s. Then it was stopped importing because it wasn’t emissions legal and some other things. We have the technology to make a vehicle that gets WAAAYYYY better gas mileage that what is being provided, without going to a hybrid. Hybrid is the right step in removing our dependence on oil. total electric would be great, or even Hydrogen to clean up our planet. Electric motors produce ozone???
It can be done, and faster than most people realize. BMW 7series has a hydrogen car ready when the public is. And thats exactly what the commercial says.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Things like this monstrosity always will make me wonder why GM can’t just price the Volt at $30k and be done with it.
They apparently have enough money to piss it away with worthless vehicles like this, so why not just sell the Volt for 30 grand if you can afford to make these things.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
OH and I forgot. If I drop 70K on a vehicle, I sure as heck wont be worried about the gas mileage, and it will be doing 0-60 in about 3.5sec, and well over 500bhp.
Did I mention you could do that with an electric vehicle?
August 11th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
GM is attempting to keep some large SUV sales going in Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC by offering a two-mode version. It is a good idea because it allows GM to still sell to those people who demand and can afford vehicles like this. Plus, it helps test and develop the two-mode hybrid more so they will be ready to be offered in GM’s smaller car and truck market. Keep it up GM and stay alive.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I said:
“GM is building this because they don’t know how to build a small car that will sell and can’t be troubled trying.”
#57, Tagamet replied:
“How about the VOLT?”
How about it? Can I buy it? For how much?
Until they offer it in showrooms, in quantity, then we do not know if GM has finally figured out how to build a small car that will sell.
And I should have added “in quantity, for a reasonable price, profitably.” They are, to date, all over none of that.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
#72 Dagwood
pause..take a breath.. GM and many others (including Toyota) are gearing for the big SUV market. This DRAMATIC shift in consumer interest was totally unexpected by ALL. GM didn’t decide last wednesday over lunch to conceive, design, research, market and manufacture this vehicle..it has been in the pipes for at least 2 if not 3 YEARS (Average devellopment time for a new vehicle) All that money spent,they needed to launch it regardless to recoup. same as Tundra, Sequoia, Berrago (sp? the Kia 8 pass SUV)
Pepople like you are on a GM fan site more as trolls than fans..the fact the the VOLT will likely see the light of day in 3 years is AMAZING, the shift of a company like GM is HUGE, I look and your posting are like 90% negative about GM…the fact that the general is building a super luxery full size SUV that is as good inthe mileage dept as an accord or Camry is not impressive enough to you, never mind that GM full size vehicles are genereally better in the MPG arena than most if not all foreign manufacturers. If they can do it to a full size SUV, imagine the technology applied to lighter smaller vehicles. ( Before you b**ch about why they didn’t start there, remember 3 years Ago SUV’s were huge market place they dominated, they put where they thought best at that time..it’ll get there..)
Other folks like you, mr (s?) joe obrien, crow et al will never be satisfied with positive moves like this one, or see anything positive in anything else they do…do you even own a GM product? I do (3 right now and a Ford) I have driven all kinds (interated all over this forum) and I find the Japanese no better than the domestics, personal observation.
Be positive, its harder, than being pessimistic, but better for your health too..
Peace.
Mitch
August 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Mitch @ 73:
For a majority of the Toyota lovers, the fact that you can not BUY a Volt this instant is all that matters. Apparently, since we can’t buy it now, then GM should just quit. I know the argument is silly, but consider the source.
They are here mostly to keep tabs on the Volt development and make sure those of us that support GM realize that GM has made mistakes in the past. I think we all know that already.
The problem they have is that the Volt will look better, and run circles around the Prius in most areas of concern and technology. All they have to come back with are the pricing issues, and to keep reinforcing the old GM legacy to scare people away.
The fact that GM quality is vastly improved, my own personal experience also is that they are top notch for 200,000 miles or more, they are getting their union house in order, and that the Volt is coming along strong, is a big worry.
Why they are here posting is interesting, though. I, myself, have no interest whatsoever to visit a Toyota site or discuss things in that venue. Just don’t care enough about them. Apparently, they do care about GM for some reason to be here. I think they’re worried about the Volt and how America is going to accept it.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
#74
Couldn’t agree with you more, I posted a while back that they are really closet GM lovers, but can’t bear to admit to being Americans proud of an American product.. I have a 72 silverado, 84 camero, 96 lumina APV (all 12+ years) I do not see the Japanese cars lasting that long, Mine are beautiful, well maintained, and all original bodies. Most 10+ year old japanese cars are rolling rusted out hulks. but I admit the engine runs well.. My father in law has a 71 chev station wagon with its ORIGINAL exhaust system…
GO AMERICA>>
August 11th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
#73, Mitch: “GM and many others (including Toyota) are gearing for the big SUV market. This DRAMATIC shift in consumer interest was totally unexpected by ALL. GM didn’t decide last wednesday over lunch to conceive, design, research, market and manufacture this vehicle..it has been in the pipes for at least 2 if not 3 YEARS.”
If GM is gearing for the big SUV market, GM is doomed. It might return in a few years but GM won’t last that long. As for Toyota “gearing for the big SUV market,” that’s wishful thinking. Toyota sells 800 Sequoias a month. That’s it. Other Big Toys sell in similarly miniscule numbers. Toyota is 70% cars and 30% trucks. Even after the radical (and probably ongoing) adjustment in the truck market, GM is still 60% trucks and 40% cars.
Sure, Toyota recently introduced a big truck. Capacity is 200K/year and you can bet Toyota will be comfortable with fewer sales than that and Toyota’s flexible manufacturing makes slow Tundra sales less problematic still. But Toyota noticed the American market is irrational about big vehicles and thought they might make some easy money before the crunch… they miscalculated. They’ll shrug it off, for now, and when the truck market returns, they’ll make some money.
GM is building a Volt. Why? Sales in 2011 will be 10K. That’s it. Even if they make money at it (doubtful), that doesn’t provide the revenue they need. GM’s decision making is entirely irrational. They’re likely to tank before this comes out. GM needs products focussed on today, not some Hail Mary play a few years out, which contributes to the bottom line even further out.
GM does not make a small car that the market finds attractive at Corolla and Civic prices. This is GM’s biggest problem. Rather than solving that problem, GM is wasting money on a variety of hybrids that they can’t afford to make and which do not sell. I take that back… the jury’s out on whether or not the Malibu and Aura would sell, as GM builds so few the market is essentially untested. However, they’re sorry pieces of hybrid hardware. GM should have implemented a better, cheaper start-stop system with electric air and called it a day. The Taho and Yukon hybrids are also made in infinitesimal quanties and they do not, in fact, sell. The local dealer has two on the lot for over three months each. Great landing, wrong airport.
GM has only recently introduced a compettiive automatic transmission for their 4-cylinder. It debuted on teh Malibu for $27K. That’s a value-oriented piece of hardware in an excessively upscale car. People looking at the base Malibu are still getting turned off by the non-competitive transmission. This is a habit with GM. Base cars get uncompetitve transmissions.
The Cobalt stick recently got an XFE treatment. Great. But some 10% of Cobalts ship with a stick. Fuel economy of the auto Cobalt, the one most people buy, is still wretched.
The less said about the Aveo, the better.
Even in good times, fuel economy is important. GM has never worried about that. This hurts small car sales.
The Vue is 500lbs heavier than a Rav4. No extra cargo room or tow capacity. Many GM cars are like that. The Vue two-mode will be heavier still, very expensive and will probably sell somewhat better than the Tahoe/Yukon IF GM can afford to build it.
Many of the improvements in the Tahoe/Yukon hybrids have nothing to do with the hybrid drivetrain. They could be extended to a plain-jane drivetrain. Why doesnt’ GM do that? Probably to make the 200 unit/month hybrids look good. That’s pointless.
The fact of the matter is, across the board, GM is ceding large chunks of market to Toyota and Honda by failing to put a little bit of effort into their current vehicles. And, they distract us with “The Volt.”
What Volt? It’s not here and, until it gets here, en masse, it’s meaningless. I’m having a really hard time getting excited about a battery-electric drivetrain in a Chevy when one has been available in a Toyota since 1997. And, when it gets here, 99% of the GM’s product will still be mediocre to substandard conventional drivetrain vehicles. That 1% will save GM? I don’t think so.
If you want to save GM, take a big drink of reality, look at the cold, hard facts of the Volt and kick GM’s ass to get a better Cobalt and Aveo on the street.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Dagwood@72 said:
I said:
“GM is building this because they don’t know how to build a small car that will sell and can’t be troubled trying.”
#57, Tagamet replied:
“How about the VOLT?”
How about it? Can I buy it? For how much?
Until they offer it in showrooms, in quantity, then we do not know if GM has finally figured out how to build a small car that will sell.
And I should have added “in quantity, for a reasonable price, profitably.” They are, to date, all over none of that.
Dagwood,
Two questions:
Are you on the waiting list?
and
If you believe what you’re saying, why are you wasting your time here?
Be well,
You’re burning a lot of karma on all that pessimism.
Tag
August 12th, 2008 at 7:53 am
It used to be that a business could totally write off an Escalade. A business can still write off most of what an Escalade costs. See http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/biz_tips/20030403a1.asp
I do hope if a government subsidy is given to hybrids that they tie it to mpg. I believe that 40mpg ought to be the baseline. Let’s start getting serious about getting off of oil. A subsidy for a 20mpg Hybrid would be a joke.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:53 am
tagamet wrote, “Dagwood,
Two questions: A) Are you on the waiting list? and B) If you believe what you’re saying, why are you wasting your time here?
Be well,
You’re burning a lot of karma on all that pessimism.
Tag”
A) Of course not. I have no intention of getting on the waiting list for any car. If GM - or any other car maker - is serious about getting business, they’ll make cars available to people who want them. I’m not on the waiting list for the improved Prius, either. But Toyota is scaling production to 460K/year in ‘09 and again to perhaps 700K/year in ‘10, so availability will not be an issue (moreover, they ship in volume TODAY). Some of the demand for hybrids will be supplied by the ‘09 Honda AntiPrius.
B) I hope to enlist other people to kick GM’s ass the way it needs kicking to save GM. You’ll notice that a major part of GM’s plan for salvation includes tax credits if - oops, WHEN, sorry - the Volt ships and a bailout loan - a big one - in advance of that. Unless they build a good conventional small car at a profit, none of that will happen. And I’m confident that GM will use a giant government backed loan to improve their road dinosaur offerings, rather than get more small cars on the market faster. Look at the Beat fiasco. “Do you want one? Which one? Vote! Oops… sorry… we didn’t design any of those for the US market.” Look at Lutz’ recent statements on the Cruze and Cobalt… “the Cobalt is just now coming into its own…” This is a signal that the Cruze is, at best, on the back burner and the overweight, overpowered, oversized Cobalt will continue to carry the flag for GM.
Luckily, I don’t believe in any concept of “karma.” I believe in embracing reality. And pessimists are rarely disappointed.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:17 am
dagwood@79
Thanks for the reply. I’m not sure, but you may get a more direct “GM ear” at the GMnext.com site. Either way, I’m pretty sure that they follow the remarks here, too.
Be well,
Tag
August 15th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
#61 MDDave
As it turns out, I live 4 blocks from work and I have two nice bicycles and two “beater” bicycles.